AMA says stimulus should include bikes

Current proposal includes tax breaks on car sales

The American Motorcyclist Association is asking lawmakers to include motorcycles in their economic stimulus package.

The current proposal would provide tax breaks for purchasing new cars and trucks. Estimated to cost $11 billion, the tax breaks would apply to cars and trucks costing less than $49,500.

AMA Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland wrote a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) noting that on-road motorcycles are more fuel efficient, reduce traffic congestion and reduce impacts on roads and bridges compared to cars and trucks.

“Motorcycle riders are just as likely as other consumers of automobiles and light-duty trucks to have been hit hard by the economic downturn,” says Moreland. “Moreover, motorcyclists typically purchase new bikes, apparel, vehicle servicing and after-market equipment from local dealers that are family-owned small businesses.

“These small businesses then obtain merchandise and product from the same local suppliers as the auto dealers,” Moreland says. “The economic benefit of providing incentives to the buyers of motorcycles is just as effective and just as necessary as providing such an incentive to an automobile or light-duty truck consumer.”

The AMA asks motorcyclists to contact their members of Congress to ask for motorcycles to be included in Senate Bill 1. The “Issues & Legislation” section of the AMA’s website contains information for motorcyclists on how to contact their U.S. representatives.

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